Apple is a fruit known worldwide for its practicality and its several health benefits, such as improvement in the brain function, decrease in the risk of diabetes, fight against stomach problems and even the prevention of some types of cancer. In Brazil, according to researcher Cristiano João Arioli, from the Santa Catarina Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company (Epagri), during an interview to G1, the apple market moves R$ 7 billion in the national economy and, throughout 2021, the tendency is that this number grows even more. 

Climate and relief of southern Brazil favor production

Since 1994, Brazil became an apple exporter, and from the year 2000 on, the exports started to exceed the imports. The production of this fruit is located in the south of the country, more precisely in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, where most of the national production is concentrated, due to the climate and terrain suitable for planting. 

Generates thousands of jobs through manual harvesting

The harvest occurs from January to May, but the apples are available throughout the year thanks to a system of cold storage. There are several types of the fruit, but Gala and Fuji apples represent the massive production, with Gala representing 60% of the production and Fuji 40%, according to the Brazilian Association of Apple Producers (ABPM). Besides, the apple harvest is totally done manually, because there are no machines that perform this work, thus many jobs are generated by this market. 

Increase in exports throughout the year

The year 2021 is very promising in relation to the international market of this product, because the Brazilian apple exports, which are around US$ 40 million per year, may grow around 60% this year, in volume and value, estimates the president of the Brazilian Association of Apple Producers (ABPM), Pierre Nicolas Pérès. This should occur due to the appreciation of the dollar in relation to the Real and the better quality of the fruit this season. Our main buyers are Russia, Bangladesh and India, according to G1.